Thank God we are only a week away from the finale of this season. It’s certainly been entertaining. Plenty of breaking news all season, but, I will be glad when it’s over. The Luke Show has been overkill and next week is the only episode all season he’s not in. So I guess that’s a positive. Today I’ve got some news and notes that I’m gonna cover (Page 1), I have your “Bachelor in Paradise” episode-by-episode spoilers (Pages 2-4), and some MTA, finale, and “Bachelor” thoughts (Page 5). Although, for BIP I’ve already given you who gets engaged at the end, I gave you your episode-by-episode spoilers for episodes 1 & 2 back on July 2nd, plus I’ve already given you some of the main storylines that played out later in the season. So really all you’re getting today is who entered the show in after rose ceremonies 3, 4, and 5, who they went on dates with and who got eliminated. Remember, BIP airs Monday and Tuesday nights, so I try not to label them by episode since it’ll get confusing. I label them by rose ceremonies. Much easier that way. Technically at the end of Tuesday night should be each rose ceremony, but they never follow that format. So you’ll see it’s laid out from rose ceremony to rose ceremony. There isn’t a ton of new stuff you’re gonna see today if you’ve been following along in this column or my tweets the last month. But if you haven’t been, then get ready, a lot of info for you to take in since BIP is going to be a shit show this season.
Gonna do something different on the podcast this week. No, not what I was alluding to at the end of last week’s podcast. That’s still in the works. Still some things need to be worked out and I’m waiting for responses, but as I said at the end of the Vienna podcast, it’ll have nothing to do with reality TV. Nor anything to do with sports. But I think it’s something everyone should check out. More to come in future weeks. But this week, I’m gonna tackle domestic violence. After the Fleiss story broke last week, I got an email from someone wanting to be on the “He Said, She Said” podcast who had read the texts Fleiss released from his ex-wife, then read Ashley Spivey’s tweets about the situation and she realized she was suffering from what they went through. So that phone call Ashley and I recorded with her will be the main focus of this week’s podcast. It was horrible to hear, it was triggering for Ashley, and if one person can learn something from it, then it’s worth it. It’s definitely a pretty deep conversation we have, and frankly, it still bothers me. I think you’ll be able to hear that in my voice. That’s coming Thursday, and then if you want to be on the next “He Said, She Said” episode dropping next Tuesday, contact me and let me know what time zone you’re in, best time you can record, and what your situation is. It’s been almost 2 months since Ashley and I have done one but we wanna get back to every other week, so start sending your emails in.
Some of you have emailed asking how my trip to Choctaw Casino in Durant, OK was on Saturday night. First time there. It was a blast. Great people watching. Including the dude who was hitting on one of the girls in our group at the craps table. So I’ve been on this planet 44 years and I’d never heard this pick up line before. A guy at the craps table says to my friend, “I’m jealous of your heart.” We’re like, “Huh? Jealous of her heart? Why? What? Huh?” And then he says, “Because it’s pumping inside of you and I’m not.” Soooooo, I guess he gets some credit for saying a line I’ve never heard of ever, and I feel I’ve heard them all. But, the dude kinda got a little creepy the more he kept drinking. He was unbuttoning his shirt, at one point he got down on one knee in front of her, and then I think he proposed. Jokingly. I think. Dude was hammered and being quite douchey. But it sure made for a good laugh. Btw, Choctaw’s craps tables blows away Winstar’s. Better odds, a Bonus game to bet, and they allow a higher max on hardways. That might not mean much to anyone who doesn’t play craps, but trust me, it’s a good thing. I might have to take Winstar out of the rotation from now on.
Can I just say that DirecTV and CBS need to get their ass in gear. Seriously? I feel like every year we see this threat pop up on our screen, then nothing happens. Well it finally did on Sunday, and being a DirecTV subscribers, I have no access to CBS until this dispute is resolved. I’m forced to read “Big Brother” episode recaps online for Sunday’s episode. Now that Jack and Jackson are up for elimination, maybe that’ll change the dynamic of the show, but honestly this being my first season ever watching, are the casts always this unlikable? So many unlikable people this season, ugh. Starting with those two, so I hope one of them gets their ass booted out. And yes, I’m still sticking with “Love Island” but now I have to get my updates from either A) Tatum Smith who gladly texts me them every night after she watches with her own comments thrown in or B) finding a recap online. Just such a hassle not having a major channel like that, so, get your ass in gear DirecTV and CBS. I want my “Love Island” dammit!
Ratings are in from last night and, sounding like a broken record yet again, but people can complain about the Luke P. show all they want, but they’re watching. Highest rated episode of the season, and highest MTA episode in 4 years with 6.5 million viewers and a 1.7 rating. In comparison, Becca’s MTA last year drew 5.4 million viewers and a 1.3 rating.
“Bachelor in Paradise” spoilers begin on Page 2…
adelina
July 23, 2019 at 10:15 AM
I don’t know about anyone else, but I think Steve’s desire to have Luke P on his podcast to answer a bunch of questions – would be a total waste of everyone’s time.
Luke P talks in circles and doesn’t really answer questions with any consistency. You might as well be speaking two different languages.
cjscjs711
July 23, 2019 at 10:39 AM
I’d like a podcast with Luke P. if Steve will talk to him on subjects that others have not.Including why he decided in the first place to go on this show, since he was obviously very unsuited to this type of format.
crushonspivey
July 23, 2019 at 10:48 AM
Pretty obvious that Luke tries really hard, but just is not equipped with the social skills others have to navigate certain situations. He is just off. Signs of some sort of emotional or more likely a personality disorder. And also highlights the fact that people around him are really bad at spotting it and knowing how to navigate it as well. Once you develop a sense for it, they are easier to spot. He has one. And the show exploited it, none of the guys knew how to deal with it, and neither did Hannah. So it ended badly, as things do with people like that.
And yeah, Luke talks in circles. There is a reason for it. He lacks some skills, though no fault of his own really. Makes these things harder for him.
keddo
July 23, 2019 at 1:38 PM
I think it would make more sense to interview Luke P in 3-5 years, once he has had time to grow and to gain some perspective on this experience. So, I guess I agree with adelina. Regarding crushonspivey’s comments, I wouldn’t say his behaviour is the result of a “personality disorder”, but is rather the result of the same thinking that has American Idol contestants believing that if they want something badly enough, they are destined to have it. Kinda like Jed and his music career, now that I think of it. Both of them should listen to Kenny Rogers’ “The Gambler” on repeat until the lesson sinks in.
I am looking forward to seeing how everything plays out with the breakup between Hannah and Jed, and eventually seeing who is chosen for the next bachelor. I hope it’s Mike. I won’t be watching BIP, however; it’s just too depraved.
Statler Without Waldorf
July 23, 2019 at 2:17 PM
At the beginning of the season, I assumed that Luke was just a “plant” by production to stir the proverbial pot and create drama. They beat that horse to death and then some, with the MTA making it even worse.
Ironically enough, as misguided and “tone” deaf as Luke was, I actually believe that he was there for Hannah and would have considered proposing to her. So while everyone bashes on Luke, lest we forget that Peter and Jed were dishonest (by omission) with their intentions throughout the show? Luke was uncouth and not ready for “prime time” when it came to articulating his moral & religious beliefs, but I do think he was probably being honest. More than I can say for Jed or Peter.
Hannah needs to get off her high horse about Luke, since it seems as if she really did actively keep him in the running. I’m wondering if she’s projecting with all her self-righteous windmill f*ck*ng antics to try and detract from the fact that she got fooled by not 1, not 2 but 3 of her F4 picks.
Her “picker” is a little off, so maybe she needs to consult with the Millionaire Matchmaker, Patti Stanger!
joanne
July 23, 2019 at 4:45 PM
I skipped last night’s episode because I was sure it would be the Luke show. Based on what Steve says here, I was right. I’m so tired of it.
akissfromarose
July 23, 2019 at 7:25 PM
Truth Bomb:
Luke P better get ready for an ABC suit!
corn29
July 28, 2019 at 7:33 PM
The unfortunate thing about all of this is Luke probably has Borderline Personality Disorder. He needs help — professional help. Not ABC taking advantage of him.
Make no mistake, I’m NO fan of Luke. I’ve said as much early in these forums when people were still defending him.
Having a personality disorder is not me excusing Luke for his actions. It’s just that people are asking him to own his actions and mentally, he cannot right now. Complicating matters is that ridiculous cult (and I’m Catholic) he calls his church and family. They just enable him.
unicornhorn
July 28, 2019 at 9:52 PM
I thought the same exact thing watching the show. Borderline personality disorder